Chapter 67 Chapter 66
Amaris.
When I heard the news that Duke Ethan had been gravely injured from his duty, I didn't know what to think. At first I felt fear, then despair and finally, guilt. Fear because something worse could have happened during the attack, despair because he'd come back hurt even when he promised he wouldn't and guilt because if we had marked earlier and his full strength had returned, this wouldn't happen in the first place. I immediately went to meet him, my heart in my throat as I approached the doctor's room. With a hesitant knock, I pushed the door open and peeked in, my gaze landing on Ethan who lay sprawled on the bed, grabbing his bandaged abdomen, his face contorted in pain.
His gaze found mine and a look of relief crossed his face. Tears sprang into my eyes a d without thinking, I rushed to his side, my heart racing in my chest.
"What happened!?" I rushed out, my voice trembling. "Why are you hurt?! Who did this!?"
He held my shaking hands, giving me a small smile. "It's okay, don't be so worried. I'm fine now. I've been treated already."
"This wasn't supposed to happen! You promised to come back unhurt!" I cried, unable to hide the despair in my voice as tears streamed down my cheeks.
"I'm sorry I couldn't keep up to those promises. They were more than we anticipated and surprisingly strong too. I was taken aback by it and that led to this. Everything is alright now." He muttered as he cleaned off the tears with his thumb but I couldn't believe it. I shook my head, grabbing his hands as I cried softly.
"This is all my fault. If only we had marked earlier, you would have returned to your full strength and this would not have happened!" I sobbed, feeling guilt eat me up.
Ethan immediately reached out to grab my face, forcing me to face him, his gaze serious. "Don't you ever blame yourself for something that was originally my fault. You had no hand in this. This was clearly caused by me. You don't have a hand in it." He stated vehemently.
I stopped crying, still gazing at him with teary eyes, nodding my head gently. "What happens now?" I choked out, sniffling. "Why are you even here in the first place?" I asked.
He let his hands fall to the side, holding on to the his bandaged abdomen as he let out a deep breath. "My wounds are slowly healing up, and I sustained quite a number of them. I came here to get it treated." He explained. I stared at him, incredulously as his words sounded strange to my ears. His wounds were refusing to heal up?
He caught the look and a sad smile hit his lips. "Part of the effects of the curse the Moon goddess bestowed on me is the inability of my wounds to heal up quickly, which defies my nature as a Werewolf." He explained and my eyes widened.
"Oh..." I trailed off, lost for words. "Is-is there anything I can do to help? To speed it up maybe?" I asked, gazing at him. He shrugged before getting deep in thought, furrowing his brows.
"Usually, in situations like this when one gets gravely injured, one would meet with their mates. Copulation helps speed up the healing process." He revealed.
I stiffened at first before feeling heat flood my cheeks as I understood his words. "You mean...?" I trailed off, unable to say the word but he nodded. "Won't that be uncomfortable?" I asked.
"Depends on the severity of the wounds, but I've heard they it helps. But you don't have to do it you want to. I'll heal on my own. It'll just take a while." He said.
I immediately shook my head, pursing my lips. "We don't know how long that'll take. If we can do something about it now, why don't we try? I don't enjoy seeing you this way, I don't like the guilt that's plaguing me when I do."
Ethan stared at me, a puzzled look on his face as he regarded my words. "You want us to...?" He trailed off, his lips slightly parted. The blush on my face deepened but I nodded anyway. Even at his bandaged state, I couldn't deny the fact that I still desired him. He furtively licked his lips, looking away for a while. His eyes darkened for a bit but be he blinked and it was gone.
"Please, check if we're alone." He muttered, his voice deep and gruff, and so much more sensual than I had ever known a voice to be. I stood to my feet, going out to check if we were truly alone before returning back to the room with a positive answer.
"Come here." He ordered, motioning to his laps. My heart went to overdrive but I took in a deep breath and walked towards, climbing into his laps, ignoring the thrill shooting through me to be in such an intimate space with him. Completely secured on his laps, I stared into his eyes, which had gone several shades darker and much more fascinating as it stirred back at her, something unmistakable swirling in them.
His gaze slid lower, to the outline of my chest and I heard him swallow as his hands settled on on waist, gripping it firmly.